Homegrown Talent: A Young Filmmaker’s Journey
While some filmmakers start with film school and professional gear, others find determination within their local film community. Despite Laredo’s limited access to artistic infrastructure compared to other cities in Texas, Laredo has produced several well-known filmmakers, all of whom share a dedication to storytelling and inspiring others. Long before discovering Laredo's filmmaking community, twenty-four-year-old Javier De Leon's journey began with a deep love for movies and those unforgettable childhood trips to Blockbuster. The countless hours getting lost in movies would come to form the foundation of his future career ambitions. However, it wasn’t until his third year as a criminal justice student at Texas A&M International University that he discovered Tamiu’s Filmmakers Guild (TFG) through a school film festival, an experience that drove him to create his first film.
His first film entry to TFG included Guest House, a short horror film showcased at the Spring 2024 Scotty’s film festival, giving him his first exposure to positive audience feedback. From there, growth unfolded. His horror film Fameless was among the small pool of films selected for Laredo Film Society’s Folklore Short Film Challenge. At LFS headquarters, Javier’s work, including Moon Mania, has continued to find a home where it is continuously showcased in Film Club Fridays. Although Javier's journey has included acting, his devotion lies offscreen. Directing, shooting, and storytelling remain his primary focus. Since middle school, he has taken part in over 20 artistic film projects, ranging from school assignments to music videos to short films, with each contributing to his personal growth.
Javier acknowledges challenges as part of the filmmaking process and has learned to utilize his resources to the best of his abilities. “Networking is huge,” he explains. Javier emphasizes the importance of always asking, no matter what. For him, it’s not about having the most expensive equipment or having it all, but making the most of what or who he has. Additionally, Javier claims that support from his close friends, Cesar and Rob, a current board member of the Laredo Film Society, has been a strong foundation in part of his success. With the support of friends and his girlfriend, Eve, Javier has channeled his creativity into various shared film visions.
As Javier begins his journey as a filmmaker in Laredo, he emphasizes the importance of community support in building an environment where filmmakers and actors alike can grow their skills. He explains that one of the biggest advantages of making films in Laredo is that the city is new to the industry. According to Javier, there is much to improve and build up in the small border town film scene. Laredo grants many film makers alike a clean slate to build and create media, while improving one’s skills.
Despite these advantages, Javier acknowledges that challenges remain. He describes that the path to growing the scene is a constant “uphill battle”, largely because Laredo is not recognized as a major film hub.
“I want to make Laredo that place where people can go to later on,” Javier explains. “I want Laredo to become the new Austin, the new San Antonio. I want to build that scene here rather than go somewhere else.”
The South Texas border is a unique region, where communities are connected by the border sharing culture and history. When asked about how he plans to integrate the Rio Grande Valley to Laredo’s film scene, Javier highlights collaboration as key.
“We are starting to plant the seeds of having Laredo and the Valley,” he says. “Merging together, becoming the south Texas film scene rather than separate entities. We all share the connection of being on the border, so we all have these stories we can tell that aré important.”
As a self described horror fan, Javier traces his film making back to his love for the genre. He explains that his artistic approach is rooted in emotion and leaves a lasting impression on audiences through his art work.
“I want to involve myself in horror,” Javier says. “The genre is so broad, and you can do so much with it.”
Slasher Films sit on the top of his list for future projects. Javier cites “The Thing (1982)” as one of his favorite films of all time, crediting it with revolutionizing horror as a genre. For Javier, his motivation to participate is to be a contributing driving force and progression of the genre.
Javier describes his creative process as sporadic and impulsive, often driven by sudden ideas that quickly become reality. Obsession, he explains, is essential. Without clear motivation and intense focus he worries his projects might never reach completion.
He compares his film style to the texture of gusset plates used in wrestling, rough and prickly, yet contrasted with moments of smoothness. Finally a key component to his process is collaborating, which allows Javier to have the most fun and enjoyment through the entire film process.
“At the end of the day it is about making movies for everybody, for ourselves and for the community here in Laredo.”
Thank you to Javier for allowing Laredo Film Society to be apart of the great process and future of a young talented film marker.
To support Javier De Leon’s artistry, you can find him on Instagram. IG/ Javibighoss and on YouTube/ OminPictures
